DAIRY NEWS MAY 2, 2023
20 // ANIMAL HEALTH
Make sure your feed is FeedSafe NZ accredited
Using tech to capitalise on a record autumn
Do you know if your f Find out at the
NZFMA Fielda
TARANAKI AND Whan-
Weighing and EID technology
ganui farmers encouraged now allows farmers to track to use their technology each animal’s performance to capitalise on a record autumn. across each weighing session, An unseasonal wet automatically loading weights, summer has set the traits, health treatments or any Taranaki and Whanganui other specific notes against the rural regions up for one of the best autumns on animal’s ear tag. record. However, farmers are still feeling the pinch from rising inflation and in the Taranaki region. at this time of year, they on farm costs – an issue Based on what he’s seen would usually be at oncetheir on-farm technology on his travels, he estia-day or once every 16 could help tackle. mates only around 20% hours. “While the temptation of farmers in the region “We have also seen is to sit back and make are using or getting the the most of the flush feed record growth rates for most out of their technolyoung stock. But while situation, using the techogy to both manage their the wet wash out of nology they have already stock and drive day-tosummer has delivered invested in to drive effiunexpected benefits going day efficiencies on farm. ciencies can help farm“It’s about identifyinto autumn, there are ers make the most of the ing the areas where farmstill challenges to navigood autumn and keep ers can save time and use gate. Using technology to costs down as much as that time to be more prodrive efficiency on farm possible,” says Gallagher ductive in other areas of has never been more territory manager Martin their business,” says Weir. important.” Weir. “There are some valuWeir joined the Galla“Dairy farmers in gher Animal Management able tools out there that Taranaki were still can provide a better picteam covering Taranaki making silage in March ture of how animals are and Whanganui about six and extending their milkyou know Many if your feed FeedSafemonths accredited? tracking. This informaago after workingDoseason. are isstill Find out at the NZFMA Fieldays stand tion can help guide farmmilking twice a day when, ing for NZ Farm Source feedsafe-15x11.pdf
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20/04/21
5:09 PM
NZFMA Fieldays stand number AG 7C
Do you know if your feed is FeedSafe NZ accredited?
Gallagher territory manager Martin Weir says using technology to drive efficiency on farm has never been more important.
ers’ decisions about the best time to get animals off farm, identify potential health issues, or find out how they’re placed for seasonal transitions like breeding.” Technology has come a long way and farmers no longer waste precious time tripping back and forth to turn energisers on or off or spend hours trying to find where a fence is shorting out, he says. “Energisers can now be controlled by an app on your phone that will tell you when amps drop
below the acceptable level,” says Weir. “You can even split your farm into zones that can be individually controlled. You can power on or off certain areas of the farm, depending on what you’re working on, all with the touch of a button on your phone.” Weighing and EID technology now allows farmers to track each animal’s performance across each weighing session, automatically loading weights, traits, health treatments or any other specific notes against the
animal’s ear tag. “There are no more guesstimates or using fiddly weigh tapes and unruly pieces of paper that get lost,” he says. “This technology means you get an accurate measure every time and it’s recorded against the animal’s ear tag. And it’s all stored in a complete system that you can access either from your phone or download onto your PC after each session. “This type of data tells you when your animals reach their target weights
for processing so you can make the most of the payment schedules. “They tell you how breeding stock are tracking going into breeding season and they give you a solid measure of how young stock are performing and if there are any potential health issues to address. “This autumn farmers are set up well heading into winter,” says Weir. “But the challenge is to keep looking ahead to see how you can make the most of the opportunities presented.”
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